By: Chad Beattie
Holly Springs, N.C. – Lynn University pitcher Travis Connolly is giving fans a glimpse of what to expect for the 2014 season after the Coastal Plain League announced him as the inaugural Rawlings Pitcher of the Week for week one action.
Connolly made a big impression in his first start this summer. Taking the mound at Florence, the 6-2, 200-pound right-hander pitched a complete-game shutout in a 4-0 win for the Sharks. In nine innings of work, he surrendered just three hits and one walk while striking out seven. Further, he held opposing batters to a low .097 average against him and featured a WHIP of 0.44.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Further more, the CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 62 alums – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut thus far.
Lynn went 30-20 overall and 13-11 in the Sunshine State Conference during the 2013 season. The Blue & White return 17 letterwinners, including three-time all-south region selection Jed Vandernaald and All-SSC outfielder Enrique Perez.